SOC357H1 Chapter Notes -Total Fertility Rate, W. M. Keck Observatory, Trailing Edge
Document Summary
The easterland effect posits cyclical changes in demographic and social behavior as the result of fluctuations in birth rates and cohort size during post-world war ii period. Lower relative economic status in turn leads to lower fertility, higher rates of female labour force participation, later marriage, higher divorce and illegitimacy and increasing homicide, suicide and alienation. Cycles in birth rates and cohort size suggest that the small baby bust cohorts entering adulthood in the 1990s will enjoy higher relative income, more traditional family structures and lower levels of social disorganization. The expected standard of living of adults comes from their childhood economic socialization: the standard of living that persons become accustomed to during childhood creates aspirations against which they compare their income potential during young adulthood. Income earning possibilities stem from labour market experience. The higher one"s income potential is relative to expected standard of living, the higher one"s relative economic status.
